{"id":52,"date":"2024-10-14T13:34:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T13:34:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oceandecademed.org\/en\/en\/educational-resources\/experiment-stratification-of-water-masses\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T12:45:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T12:45:20","slug":"experiment-stratification-of-water-masses","status":"publish","type":"odm_resource","link":"https:\/\/oceandecademed.org\/en\/educational-resources\/experiment-stratification-of-water-masses\/","title":{"rendered":"Experiment: Stratification of water masses"},"content":{"rendered":"

If we drop an object into a liquid, two things can happen: it can float or it can sink. An experiment of about half an hour with water, a pinch of salt and food coloring to begin to learn about the sea, starting from the concept of density.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Instructions for use:<\/h3>\n

Use the document online or in paper format, as a recreational activity at home, or during a lesson at school.<\/p>\n

Materials needed:<\/h4>\n

Tap water, 2 transparent rectangular containers, boiling water, fine kitchen salt, food coloring, 4 1-liter glass bottles, a notepad.<\/p>\n

Procedure:<\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. Prepare 4 different types of water, which you could easily collect in glass bottles:Type A: 1 liter of tap water with 80 grams of fine salt.<\/li>\n
  2. Type B: 1 liter of tap water.<\/li>\n
  3. Type C: 1 liter of very cold water: just leave it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.<\/li>\n
  4. Type D: 1 liter of very hot water: heat the water until it is almost boiling.<\/li>\n
  5. Add a few drops of food coloring to distinguish the different types of water.<\/li>\n
  6. Pour the type A water into the rectangular container, and immediately after when the water is practically still, the type B water. Write down what you observe.<\/li>\n
  7. Pour the type C water into the other container, and immediately after when the water is practically still, the type D water. Write down what you observe.<\/li>\n
  8. Try to give an explanation for this particular stratification of the water masses.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n
    \n
    \n Download the explanation <\/span>
    \n <\/span>
    \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p>\n

    Cognitive learning objectives:<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • The student understands the basic concepts of different densities of ocean water.<\/li>\n
    • The student understands the relationship between temperature and salinity for the formation of water masses in the ocean.<\/li>\n
    • The student knows the physical and chemical properties of ocean water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Social-emotional learning goals:<\/h3>\n
        \n
      • The student is able to advocate for sustainable ocean management.<\/li>\n
      • The student is able to understand different perspectives on the impact of daily life on the ocean.<\/li>\n
      • The student is able to perceive the human connection between climate change and human health<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Behavioral learning objectives:<\/h3>\n
          \n
        • The student is able to express his\/her personal relationship with the sea.<\/li>\n
        • The student is able to talk about the ocean and climate change with knowledge.<\/li>\n
        • The student is able to understand the importance of protecting the ocean.<\/li>\n
        • The student is able to make informed decisions regarding the ocean.<\/li>\n
        • The student is able to talk about the ocean correctly, in a coherent and informed way.<\/li>\n
        • The student is able to investigate the relationship of dependence of life on the sea.<\/li>\n
        • The student is able to understand the importance of protecting the ocean.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development Approaches:<\/h3>\n

          Geographical perspective, scientific perspective.<\/p>\n

          Connection between subjects:<\/h3>\n

          Marine ecology, natural sciences, physics, chemistry, computer science, technology.<\/p>\n

          Sustainable Development Goals:<\/h3>\n
            \n
          • SDG 14 \u201cLife Below Water\u201d<\/li>\n
          • SDG 4 \u201cQuality Education\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Connection to Ocean Education Principles:<\/h3>\n
              \n
            • Principle 1 \u201cThe Earth has a large ocean with many features\u201d<\/li>\n
            • Principle 2 \u201cThe ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the Earth\u201d<\/li>\n
            • Principle 3 \u201cThe ocean has a major influence on climate and weather\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              A quick and easy experiment to learn more about the sea, starting from the knowledge of water. Developed by IOC-UNESCO for World Oceans Day 2021.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-52","odm_resource","type-odm_resource","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oceandecademed.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/odm_resource\/52","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oceandecademed.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/odm_resource"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oceandecademed.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/odm_resource"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/oceandecademed.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/odm_resource\/52\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":187,"href":"https:\/\/oceandecademed.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/odm_resource\/52\/revisions\/187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oceandecademed.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}